Fad or Functionality?

LIFE / 16 MAY 2024

Modern day offices have evolved into amenity dreamlands. Feeling fatigued after a few hours at your desk? Activate your stand-up setting and tackle your tasks on your feet. Or take a nap in the sleeping pod down the corridor. Feeling restless? Head to your on site gym for a run or spin. Amenities are all the rage right now and have become synonymous with attracting and retaining tenants. However, amidst the allure of these amenities, a pertinent question arises: are they merely passing fads or do they hold substantial value in the modern workplace?

Functionality

Employee well being has evolved into a monumental priority in today’s workforce. Scientific studies have highlighted the myriad of physical and mental health benefits associated with amenities and operators spare no expense in this pursuit. These amenities all ensure that employees can flourish in their 9-5’s with all the tools and comforts that help them to thrive.

Stand-Up Desks

Let’s consider the rise in stand-up desks. These desks are hailed by many as a revolutionary solution to combat the nature of a desk-bound job. Promoting better posture, blood flow and circulation, they overall enhance alertness and productivity throughout the day. Research supported by Healthline suggests that standing desks can alleviate lower back pain by up to 32% over several weeks and reduce upper back and neck pain by 54% in just four weeks. Plus, research suggests that prolonged periods of sitting are correlated with heightened risks of depression and anxiety, highlighting the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.

Gyms

Gym facilities are no doubt a win-win situation. Firstly, the obvious health benefits of hitting the gym more frequently, as it is on your office doorstep. But the true game-changer is the boost of energy and increased productivity that comes with a workout. Also, we can’t forget that these gyms are often included within your membership, which is fab considering how pricey gym memberships can be.

Sleeping Pods

Sleeping pods are now being implemented by the likes of Google, PWC and Nike, in the name of office employee wellbeing. Studies from Workspace Resource reiterate that as sleep deprivation takes its toll on employee’s efficiency, businesses take a significant financial hit – estimated at around 3% of GDP annually. By providing employees with the opportunity to recharge throughout the workday, one can argue that businesses can mitigate these losses and foster a more productive workforce.

I think it's fair to say there is definitely a middle ground. Operators like Fora have aptly tapped into the idea of relaxation at work by implementing meditation rooms - successfully hitting the sweet spot without going OTT.

Fads

However, in our bustling workplace world - it is easy to get swept up in the latest trends, so we have to question, are these perks a passing craze? More often than not, the allure tends to fade and most of the amenities sit there gathering dust.

For example, how many tenants continue using the stand-up feature beyond the first week? Let’s face it, people are lazy…Additionally, pool tables and table tennis tables often remain underutilised in many office settings. Whilst they initially spark excitement among employees who begin arranging tournaments in their lunch breaks, the novelty does tend to wear off. The reality is, busy work schedules and deadlines often take precedence, leading many employees to eat at their desks!

Generally, a lot of people would choose to exercise in separate gyms, find their own yoga studios close to where they live and catch Z’s in the comfort of their own home. Whether it’s the shy employees who want to avoid being seen out of their work attire, or the anti-social gymmers who just want to plug in their headphones and avoid the awkward small talk with their colleagues, ultimately many do choose to utilise facilities outside of work.

In summary, we can be sceptics and point to the dusty desks and deserted pods, but the mental and physical health benefits of these amenities are undeniable. The growing emphasis on staff wellness has skyrocketed and rightfully so, since yoga studios, meditation rooms and gyms only enhance employees’ productivity and ultimately make the workplace a much happier place. For employers particularly those looking to attract top talent or retain staff, investing in offices that have these amenities is a no brainer. But we all need to come back down to earth, and focus on amenities that hold long term value. Let’s avoid the trap of fleeting trends that are a little far-fetched - I mean, who really is going to take an hour nap at work?

16 May 2024